Rebecca Lelli
Mr. Fogleman
American Education
28 November 2014
Ravitch: Chapter 25 - Class Size Matters for Teaching and Learning
Ravitch supplies a fourth solution in chapter 25 to problems with the education system. This solution is as follows- "Reduce class sizes to improve student achievement and behavior" (242). Ravitch argues that large classrooms reduce the ability for the teacher to teach, because he or she is so busy trying to control the classroom. Studies have shown that students in smaller classrooms are less likely to act up and more likely to be engaged in what they are learning. However, although many reformers have seen that this is true, they fear that making smaller classrooms will be too costly. More classes means more teachers, and more teachers means a more expensive budget. But Ravitch argues right back, saying that these methods are expensive, but the alternative is more expensive. The alternative would be allowing kids to remain in the low learning rate classes they are in and end up spending thousands and even millions of dollars later on in remedial classes. She says that we either pay for success now, or pay to try to fix failure later.
According to the evidence Ravitch uses, only 4 to 6 percent of teachers would be willing to take on a larger class in exchange for a higher salary. This says that teachers dislike large classes enough that they are willing to refuse more pay because it is just not worth their effort. The Scholastic-Gates survey found that larger classrooms led to more children with behavioral problems, more impoverished children, and more English language learners. These students need extra attention, something that they are just not getting from big classroom settings. Studies have also shown that smaller classes improve cognitive skills, participation in discussion, and even a lower drop out rate in the future."A study of 2,561 schools released by the U.S. Department of Education found that students achievement was closely linked to class size, even in the upper grades" (246). All around, students have significant improvements in their learning when they are part of a small classroom.
Reading Notes-
Most people are in agreement that smaller class sizes result in improved learning.
Policy makers and elected official shy away from it due to cost.
Some say that in the old days people had even larger classes and they still succeeded.
This does not take into account the fact that in the "old days" special needs kids were not included in classrooms, there was no racial or socio-economical diversity, and as a result, rarely any English-language learners. If these challenges did not exist in today's classrooms, perhaps large classrooms would be fine, but such is not the case.
Elementary teachers feel the ideal class size is between 18 and 19 students. Middle and high school teachers would ideally like 20 to 21 students in a class at a time.
Many urban schools, the ones in most need of reduced class size have huge classes of 40-50 students.
It becomes harder to teach when there are multiple student with special behavioral problems in the class at a time.
Teacher gets to know student more personally in smaller classes, and is better able to help them.
Shrinking class sizes is expensive, but the payoff is worth it.
Minority children are particularly positively effected by small class sizes.
Positive behaviors and interactions are encouraged in small groups, over order and compliance.
Higher test scores.
Teachers benefit, they are less likely to leave teaching or transfer to another school.
In some of the best private schools the student to teacher ratio is 12 to 1 or 8 to 1.
Saving money today by cutting teachers and increasing class sizes will be spent later in trying to fix the results.
Rhode Island Education:
These reforms will be good for Rhode Island education in that more students will develop a deeper knowledge base earlier in their lives and as a result have a better foundation to build off of. Whether its shrinking classes or adding more teachers aids or both, this will help the economy in the long run. Not to mention the long lasting benefits it will have for the next generation of students. Imagine what would happen if more students were able to absorb the knowledge that teachers were spoon feeding them. How much lower the poverty rate, drop out rate, and uneducated rate would be. All research aside, it is logical to think that smaller classrooms would help children learn. Kids would be less afraid to speak up when they are confused, they would feel more compelled to pay close attention, and they become part of a discussion in which they are encouraged to think for themselves.
Mr. Fogleman
American Education
28 November 2014
Ravitch: Chapter 25 - Class Size Matters for Teaching and Learning
Ravitch supplies a fourth solution in chapter 25 to problems with the education system. This solution is as follows- "Reduce class sizes to improve student achievement and behavior" (242). Ravitch argues that large classrooms reduce the ability for the teacher to teach, because he or she is so busy trying to control the classroom. Studies have shown that students in smaller classrooms are less likely to act up and more likely to be engaged in what they are learning. However, although many reformers have seen that this is true, they fear that making smaller classrooms will be too costly. More classes means more teachers, and more teachers means a more expensive budget. But Ravitch argues right back, saying that these methods are expensive, but the alternative is more expensive. The alternative would be allowing kids to remain in the low learning rate classes they are in and end up spending thousands and even millions of dollars later on in remedial classes. She says that we either pay for success now, or pay to try to fix failure later.
According to the evidence Ravitch uses, only 4 to 6 percent of teachers would be willing to take on a larger class in exchange for a higher salary. This says that teachers dislike large classes enough that they are willing to refuse more pay because it is just not worth their effort. The Scholastic-Gates survey found that larger classrooms led to more children with behavioral problems, more impoverished children, and more English language learners. These students need extra attention, something that they are just not getting from big classroom settings. Studies have also shown that smaller classes improve cognitive skills, participation in discussion, and even a lower drop out rate in the future."A study of 2,561 schools released by the U.S. Department of Education found that students achievement was closely linked to class size, even in the upper grades" (246). All around, students have significant improvements in their learning when they are part of a small classroom.
Reading Notes-
Rhode Island Education:
These reforms will be good for Rhode Island education in that more students will develop a deeper knowledge base earlier in their lives and as a result have a better foundation to build off of. Whether its shrinking classes or adding more teachers aids or both, this will help the economy in the long run. Not to mention the long lasting benefits it will have for the next generation of students. Imagine what would happen if more students were able to absorb the knowledge that teachers were spoon feeding them. How much lower the poverty rate, drop out rate, and uneducated rate would be. All research aside, it is logical to think that smaller classrooms would help children learn. Kids would be less afraid to speak up when they are confused, they would feel more compelled to pay close attention, and they become part of a discussion in which they are encouraged to think for themselves.